non-invasive · fNIRS · research-only
Kernel Flow
By Kernel
Identity
- Manufacturer
- Kernel
- Model number
- —
- Codename
- —
- Aliases
- Flow1, Kernel Flow1
- Generation
- 1st
- Country of origin
- US
- Released
- Announced
- Discontinued
- —
- Status
- research-only
Classification
- Invasiveness
- non-invasive
- Modalities
- fNIRS
- Primary modality
- fNIRS
- Direction
- read
- Categories
- research-grade, diagnostic
- Form factor
- helmet
- Use cases
- whole-cortex hemodynamic imaging, cognitive neuroscience research, psychiatry / pharma biomarker studies, BCI research
- Target users
- neuroscience-researcher, clinician
Electrodes
- Total channels
- —
- Recording channels
- —
- Reference channels
- —
- Electrode type
- optical, optode
- Material
- —
- 10-20 positions
- —
- Requires gel
- No
- Requires saline
- No
- Prep time
- —
- Reusable
- Yes
- Disposable
- No
Stimulation
- Capable
- No
Connectivity
- Protocols
- —
- Bluetooth
- —
- Bluetooth profiles
- —
- Concurrent mode
- —
- Encryption (transit)
- —
- Pairing methods
- —
- Cloud sync
- No
- Offline recording
- Yes
Power
- Sources
- wired-mains
- Battery life (active)
- —
- Charging port
- —
- Charging time
- —
- Battery replaceable
- —
- Notes
- Flow is mains-powered via its acquisition cart / base station.
Physical
- Weight
- —
- Dimensions
- —
- Materials
- —
- Sizes
- one-size-adjustable
- Head circumference
- —
- Operating temp
- —
Compute
- Has onboard computer
- —
- Operating systems
- —
- Primary OS
- —
- Edge ML accelerator
- —
- Root access
- —
- App sandbox
- —
- 3rd-party apps allowed
- —
- Notes
- —
Software & data
- Mobile app
- —
- Cloud platform
- —
- Offline mode
- Yes
- Subscription required
- —
- Raw data access
- Yes
- Export formats
- —
- LSL support
- —
- Data ownership
- user
- Apps
- —
SDK & developer access
- Has SDK
- —
- Open source
- —
- Languages
- —
- Web Bluetooth
- —
- Raw sample access
- Yes
- BCI paradigms
- —
- 3rd-party integrations
- —
- Docs
- —
Capabilities
- Attention / focus
- —
- Meditation / calm
- —
- Neurofeedback
- —
- Meditation coaching
- —
- Sleep tracking
- —
Security
- Authentication factors
- —
- Per-user profiles
- —
- Requires account
- —
- Claiming methods
- —
- Ownership model
- —
- Activation lock
- —
- Remote lock
- —
- Remote wipe
- —
- Find my device
- —
- Notes
- —
Firmware & updates
- OTA supported
- —
- OTA transports
- —
- Update mechanism
- —
- Update channels
- —
- Rollback supported
- —
- Signed updates
- —
- Forced updates
- —
- User deferrable
- —
- Requires app companion
- —
- Average update frequency
- —
- Notes
- —
Regulatory & clinical
- FDA status
- none
- CE mark
- —
- Certifications
- —
- Prescription required
- No
- Pediatric approved
- —
Pricing & availability
- MSRP
- —
- Current price
- —
- Subscription
- —
- Warranty
- —
- Return policy (days)
- —
- Where to buy
- —
Media & links
- Official site
- kernel.com
- Product page
- —
Editor’s take
In favor
- Whole-cortex coverage in a head-worn form factor
- Time-domain fNIRS gives depth resolution that CW-fNIRS cannot
- No gel, fast donning relative to high-density EEG/MEG
Against
- Research-only — not sold to consumers
- Tethered to a base station; not ambulatory
- Most low-level specs (channel count, sampling, NIR power) only partially public
Sources & provenance
- Kernel — official site
- Ban et al. — Kernel Flow technical preprint (bioRxiv, 2021)
- TechCrunch — Kernel reveals Flow & Flux
Last reviewed